The boys – four aged 13 and one aged 14 – were arrested on suspicion of racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage in Bridgnorth
Five teenagers were arrested in connection with the racist graffiti appearing around Bridgnorth, West Mercia Police said today.
The boys – four aged 13 and one aged 14 – were arrested on suspicion of racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage.
The arrests on Friday, February 21, come after several reports were received by the police force in Shropshire.
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The reports of graffiti with racist messages appeared around town between October 2024 and January 2025.
There have been 15 separate messages left in alleyways, footpaths and underbridges.
The latest incidents include a message discovered on the youth club on Inage Lane on Saturday, January 25. While another message appeared under the bypass on the A458 on Tuesday, January 21.
On both occasions white spray paint was used to create the graffiti.
Four of the boys were released with no further action, whilst one boy, aged 14, was released on police bail as inquiries continue.
Inspector Damien Kelly, from the South Shropshire Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “I would like to thank the local community for their response to our appeals as we investigate the vandalism.
“On Friday we carried out a successful operation, which has led to the arrests of four individuals in connection with the spate of graffiti appearing around Bridgnorth.
“The Safer Neighbourhood Team are continuing with this investigation and still have a number of enquiries to carry out.
“Four of the boys were released without further action on Friday, whilst one was released on police bail and will continue to assist with our enquiries.”
Inspector Kelly added: “The messages that were displayed in the graffiti were incredibly racist, and understandably caused distress to local communities, and I hope Friday’s arrests show we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour in our town.”